When you’re feeling lethargic or just need a change of pace from the norm, there is one surefire way to perk up your day: a well-made quesadilla. These snacks consist of flatbreads dipped in eggs and cheese before being baked in an oven for about five minutes – all of which you can find at your local grocery store for less than $5.

As you can imagine, there are many varieties of quesadillas, but the most commonly made variety is the cheese-only variety. While this type of quesadilla can be delicious and safe for humans, you may be thinking, “I love eating quesadillas and I am sure my pet does too!”

But, can dogs eat quesadillas? The answer is No. This may seem like an exciting treat for your beloved pet, but it is best to leave such food off of his plate. Tortillas contain various chemicals and preservatives (including olestra), which can lead to problems such as diarrhea and vomiting in dogs. Dogs also lack the digestive enzymes and stomach acid to break down and digest carbohydrates and proteins in food, which leads to gastric distress, such as gas and bloating.

If you are still curious about whether or not your dog can eat quesadillas, read on for more information!

Let’s start with a short introduction to Quesadilla, shall we?

What is Quesadilla?

The quesadilla is a Mexican dish that consists of a tortilla filled with various ingredients, such as cheese or meat. It can be grilled or fried in oil until golden brown and crispy. The name quesadilla comes from the Spanish word “queso” (cheese) and “diloa” (to grill).

A quesadilla is a dish that is popular throughout Mexico and the United States. There are many different kinds of quesadillas, such as chicken and cheese, beef and cheese, and bean and cheese. They are also often served with salsa or guacamole on top.

Because of their popularity, there has been much discussion on whether or not dogs should eat quesadillas because they contain dairy products such as milk, sour cream, cream, Parmesan cheese, etc. This article discusses whether or not dogs can eat quesadillas.

Can Dogs Eat Quesadilla?

No. It’s not safe to feed your dog quesadillas because it contains many ingredients that are harmful to your pooch. What makes this food so dangerous for dogs? Let’s take a look at the different ingredients in quesadillas and see if you can answer that on your own.

1. Chorizo: According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, chorizo is a kind of sausage that consists of smoked pork and beef mixed with spices. When served as part of a dish, it’s usually first fried or grilled before being served. Chorizo isn’t usually associated with canines, but some dogs are attracted to the spicy flavor of the sausage. If your dog loves chorizo or similar Mexican foods, then it’s likely that he’ll want to eat this kind of sausage. This isn’t safe because it contains fats in case, which can cause pancreatitis in dogs. This is a potentially fatal condition that occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed due to high-fat consumption in dogs. Your dog could die if they eat chorizo or another food with high levels of fat.

2. Tortillas: Tortillas are flatbreads made from ground maize, popular in Spanish-speaking countries and throughout the United States. Tortillas are made from corn, but it can also be made from wheat. Its ingredients include maize, water, and a little lye.

Corn is a common ingredient in canine diets, and it’s also a common ingredient of quesadillas. This type of food is good for your dog only when the recipe is of the simple type with no added ingredients of any kind. It can cause food poisoning in puppies if they find any undigested pieces in their stools. Naturally, this isn’t something that you want to happen to your beloved pet!

3. Common Dairy Products

• Queso fresco: Queso fresco (fresh cheese) is a soft white cheese commonly found in Mexico. It is traditionally made from cow’s milk, but it may also be made from other kinds of milk or even from cheese whey. This cheese tastes very similar to mozzarella, but it is usually much smaller and firmer than mozzarella and it is usually eaten fresh and not aged. Queso fresco can be used to make quesadillas, but it is often eaten along with fruits, vegetables, or tortillas.
• Queso Oaxaca: Queso Oaxaca (Cabra or Goat Cheese) is a soft, Mexican cheese that is very similar to queso fresco. It is also traditionally made from cow’s milk, but it may also be made from other kinds of milk or even from cheese whey. This cheese is typically used in salads and some people enjoy eating the cheese plain on a tortilla chip.
• Queso Blanco: Queso Blanco (White Cheese) is a hard cheese that is usually white in color. It is considered very mild, but it can sometimes be spicy. Queso Blanco is typically made from cow’s milk and it has a slightly salty flavor.

How Can Eating Dairy Products Like Cheese Affect Dogs?

Dairy products are high in lactose, which causes digestive issues for many dogs. Lactose is the sugar found in milk and dairy products, and it can cause symptoms like diarrhea, gas, and vomiting when consumed by dogs. Studies show that the symptoms of lactose intolerance are very similar to symptoms of colitis. Colitis can be an inflammatory bowel disease that affects dogs. Dogs who suffer from colitis may exhibit pain, bloody diarrhea, blood in stool, weight loss, etc.

Oftentimes, lactose intolerance can lead to other health problems like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). IBS in dogs is a condition that affects the colon and the large intestine. IBS in dogs is similar in symptoms to symptoms of colitis, although it may not cause symptoms immediately after eating dairy products. One of the main symptoms of IBS includes abdominal pain, diarrhea, frequent urination, and very loose stool.

Dairy products are also very high in fat. Experts believe that consuming large amounts of fat can lead to obesity. Obesity is a condition with leads to not enough energy being burned for the amount of energy taken in. This leads to an over-accumulation of body fat, which is not healthy for dogs. In long run, it can also result in Diabetes.

Dogs have different digestive systems than humans, so eating dairy products may cause the dog to have tummy aches, diarrhea, etc. For this reason, many dog owners do not allow their dogs to eat quesadillas because they fear that the dog’s health may be compromised as a result of eating such foods.

Are Quesadillas Dangerous for Dogs?

If you’ve never given quesadillas to your pet before, then there’s no way that you can tell whether or not they’re safe for him to eat. Even if you’re giving him quesadillas, it’s always a good idea to ask your vet if they’re safe for your dog to eat.

As a general rule, small dogs should never eat the tortilla, and bigger dogs shouldn’t be given this food because of their sturdiness and weight. These things aren’t a problem when you make the tortilla at home, but it’s probably not a good idea for your dog to have this food from fast-food restaurants or other establishments.

Home-made quesadillas for dogs

You can always make your own quesadillas for your pooch. This way you know for certain what’s in them or what they’ll be ingesting.

1. First, start with flour tortillas. If you want to make them yourself, we recommend using whole wheat tortillas because they are healthier for anyone who eats them and can also help with digestion in some cases. You can use corn tortillas if that’s what you have on hand or prefer over the other option–just keep in mind that they’re processed more than whole wheat ones are and contain more carbs than the former variety does. Corn flour is also used in corn tortillas so it would be wise to make them from cornmeal if you’re not sure what you have on hand. The same goes for corn flour in tortillas; if you can’t find it you might be able to make your own using cornmeal.
2. Combine the two dry ingredients (flour and cornmeal) with an equally-sized amount of water (about 1/3 cup). Mix together like you’re making pancake batter or something that will harden when left out in the air.
3. Gather up other ingredients; start with the oil to fry the tortilla, then add your taco sauce, cheddar cheese, salsa, or whatever else you want on top of it. Then add the diced tomatoes.
4. Now put the oil in your (preferably nonstick or electric) skillet and heat it up to medium-high heat. Once it is hot, spray the oil with an oil-based cooking spray (or you can use some cooking spray–but avoid butter, which you don’t want to use with quesadillas).
5. Once everything is ready, lower the heat to medium and pour a layer of quesadilla into the pan before adding a second layer. Continue doing this until you’ve put as much as your pan can handle. Then, turn the heat onto its lowest setting and cover the pan with a lid (or put it in an oven if you don’t have one big enough).
6. Check on it every now and then until the cheese has melted, which probably won’t take too long. Then, flip one side of the quesadilla over so you can cover it with more cheese. Put another lid on top so that it’ll cook evenly. Once this is done, remove the pan from the heat and let it cool for five minutes. Cut your quesadilla up into four pieces before serving them to your dog.

FAQ on Can Dogs Eat Quesadillas

1. What is the difference between a quesadilla and a taco?

The difference between a taco and a quesadilla is the type of tortilla used. Tacos use corn or soft flour tortillas, while quesadillas use cheese-filled pastry shells made out of precooked white batter.

Like Quesadillas, dogs are not allowed to eat tacos too. Find out all about it in our article, “Can dogs eat tacos?”

2. What is the difference between a quesadilla and a burrito?

A burrito is simply what you get when you wrap any other type of Mexican food in a tortilla. Burritos are not only eaten for breakfast but also in the evening as a snack or a light meal. The flour tortilla has been replaced with an unleavened corn tortilla in quesadillas. Quesadillas contain cheese and can be served with salsa on top of them for added flavor. If you add vegetables, meat, fish, or seafood into the inside of the quesadilla then it begins to become classified as a wrap.

Dogs and burritos: not a good mix. Why? Here’s our article that you must check for more information “Can dogs eat burritos?”

Conclusion

To cut a long story short, no. Dogs can’t eat Quesadillas. Quesadillas made with cheese may pose a serious health risk to your dog. They encourage bacterial growth that could lead to bloating, diarrhea, and vomiting. Quesadillas also include processed meat products like beef, chicken, ham, pork, turkey, or fish and those can be toxic to canines. Some problem foods that may cause stomach upset in the dog include butter, grapes, raisins, chocolate chip cookies, and peanut butter.

Thank you for reading the article.

To explore more, check out our other quesadillas-related dog articles that you might be interested in.

Has your dog ever eaten quesadillas? What was their reaction? Did they get sick? We would love to hear from you. Please share with our community by leaving a comment below!